Savannah, Dubai & More: New Airline Routes for 2014

by  Alex Schechter | Sep 25, 2013
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia / Sean Pavone/iStock

As we begin to see the world of in-flight entertainment change, so too are we seeing an evolution in the way airlines are planning their new flight routes. A recent spate of new airline route announcements indicates a trend that many Americans (especially those who don't live in New York or LA) will be very happy about: airlines are now focusing on establishing daily or weekly service out of secondary cities like Boston, Chicago, and Orlando. Likely due to overall growth among airlines like Emirates, United, and British Airways, passengers are now benefiting from nonstop routes based out of their home cities.

Boston to Dubai

Earlier this month, Dubai-based Emirates announced a new route that will connect Boston to Dubai starting on March 10 next year. Perfect timing, considering that Logan International Airport is in the midst of a series of overhaul projects that have added a new $310 million rental car center, a new shuttle bus system, and better signage in the terminals. The Emirates news also comes several months after Turkish Airlines announced it would be launching 5 nonstop flights between Boston and Istanbul per week this May, which will increase to daily service in June, 2014.

California to Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo

For Scandinavia-bound Californians who were weary of the long-haul flight through New York, or were simply put off by expensive airfares, Norwegian Air's new nonstop flights out of Oakland and Los Angeles ought to be of interest. Fares from Los Angeles to Stockholm (launching in March), Copenhagen (May), or Oslo (June) will begin at a very reasonable $236 each way, with flights out of Oakland, and Orlando, launching in May.

Austin to London

Like Texas? Like the Dreamliner 787? Then you'll be glad to know British Airways, which previously operated Texas routes out of Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston, is now adding a Austin-London route to its roster of nonstop transatlantic flights. The new route will launch in May with daily flights – an excellent excuse, if you ever needed one, to explore the music-loving city's range of classic dive bars and lounges.

Chicago to Edinburgh

Midwest US got a big boost when United Airlines announced it would be launching nonstop service between Chicago and Edinburgh, the Scottish cultural hub, beginning in May, 2014. The eight-hour flight is the airline's first nonstop route in this part of the country, and represents a growing trend of nonstop flights out of O'Hare, of which United has launched 13 since the beginning of the year.

New York to Savannah, GA

JetBlue's brand new Savannah, GA route comes as a blessing for southern travelers, who will now be able to connect to the airline's hubs in New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, and Long Beach. Likewise, it offers Northeast passengers a new flight option to reach Savannah and nearby Hilton Head Island. Previously, flights to Savannah were dominated by non-budget airlines like Delta and US Airways (a trend that one Savannah reporter deemed "inhumane"), so the new route, which starts February 13 with two round-trip flights each day, will not only offer new connections but more value than pre-existing flights to and from Savannah.

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